Curve and De Montfort University present Mother Clap's Molly House

A play with songs Mark Ravenhill

Music by Matthew Scott

12 – 15 March – Curve Studio

PRESS PERFORMANCE: Thu 13 March at 7.45pm

This March, Leicester’s Curve theatre and De Montfort University (DMU) continue their successful theatrical collaboration with a brand new co-production of Mark Ravenhill’s Mother Clap’s Molly House.

Performed by first to third year Drama and Performing Arts undergraduates from DMU this new production is directed by Curve Associate Director, Suba Das and runs from 12 – 15 March in Curve’s Studio.

One of the country’s most successful and controversial writers, and currently Playwright In Residence with the Royal Shakespeare Company, Mark Ravenhill’s play scandalised and delighted audiences when it was first presented by the National Theatre in 2001 before transferring to London’s West End.

London, 1726. Following the sudden death of her husband, Mrs Tull inherits a business providing frocks for the tarts of the town. But as the whores start to give Mrs Tull a hard time, the chance discovery of the secret life of her young apprentice boy Martin opens her up to a vibrant, shocking subculture that not only fulfils her desire to succeed, but also enables her to finally become a ‘mother’.

Centuries later, gay couple Will and Josh are busy preparing for a night of fun and games at their expensive London flat. But is their sexual freedom really as liberating as it seems?

With the original score now given a glam rock makeover with the express permission of the National Theatre, this new production also features choreography by Pete Shenton, one half of Curve Associate Company New Art Club, fresh from recent triumphs at the Edinburgh Festival and Royal Opera House.

Second Year Drama student, Victoria Tye who is appearing as Mrs Tull in the production said:

“Working on this production with Curve has been an exciting and enlightening opportunity. Not only have I been able to gain an invaluable insight into the workings of a professional theatre, I have also been treated as a professional which has had a significant effect on my practice as a performer and a student. “

Mother Clap’s Molly House follows the outstanding success of previous co-productions of remarkable plays by Curve and DMU, including Caryl Churchill’s Serious Money and Fen in 2013, Moisés Kaufman’s The Laramie Project in 2012, and Steven Berkoff’s East and Greek in 2011.

Suba Das, Curve’s Associate Director commented:

“Developing and supporting talent is central to the work we do at Curve and we’re delighted to be embarking on another theatrical partnership with De Montfort University. This on-going collaboration provides a rare opportunity for Drama and Performing Arts students to work on a challenging theatrical text which jumps forwards and backwards in time, features both song and dance, as well as controversial subject matters. It’s also fantastic to be working with Curve’s Associate Artists on this project. Pete Shenton and New Art Club offer a really practical example to the students of how artists born and bred in Leicester can go on to create work that has been performed all over the world to huge acclaim.”

Dr Roger Apfelbaum, Senior Lecturer in Drama Studies added:

“The students and staff at De Montfort University are very excited by this latest collaboration with Curve. Our Drama Studies and Performing Arts students move on to a range of careers in performance, production and teaching and this is one of the ways we enable our courses to extend beyond our classrooms. By partnering with an award-winning theatre such as Curve, the students are given an invaluable opportunity to work with a professional creative team and create a powerful theatrical experience for both the university community and wider Leicester audience.“

For tickets or more information visit www.curveonline.co.uk